Thunder Model 1/35 Case VAI Tractor US Army WWII Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Here's an interesting kit from a new model company based in China. This is a Case VAI tractor which first entered production in 1942 with the I of VAI meaning 'Industrial'. The industrial tractors which were drafted into the US Army during World War II were used as general utility vehicles for towing armament and supply trailers around airbases as well as aircraft tugs for lighter aircraft. The box art depicts one of these tractors on a B-17 base which would be perfect for moving bombs or ammunition out to an aircraft. You'd have to add some ballast to get enough traction to tow a B-17 but you would have to be careful as you didn't have the brakes to stop the aircraft easily.

This kit is molded in gray styrene and presented on two parts trees plus a set of black silicon tires and a small fret of photo-etched parts. The kit features a nicely detailed four-cylinder Continental engine and drive train with the surrounding frame, operator's controls/seat, axles and wheels.

Markings and color profiles are provided for two examples, one USAAF airfield tractor and one civilian tractor.

While this kit is not complex, it is still recommended for experienced modelers for the few tiny and delicate parts as well as the photo-etched parts needed in this build.

If you want something interesting to pose with your 1/32 World War II USAAF aircraft or to be part of a nice 1/35 diorama or vignette, this looks like a nice little kit!

My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!